ON THE ROAD
The UC San Diego softball team hits the road for the first time this season as they head to the NFCA Division II Leadoff Classic in Tucson, Arizona. The Tritons will face No. 8 Augustana and Southeastern Oklahoma State on Friday (Feb. 15) and Central Oklahoma and Minnesota State-Mankato on Saturday (Feb. 16) before wrapping up tournament play on Sunday.

NCFA DII LEADOFF CLASSIC FEB. 15-17
Everything you need to know about this weekend's tournament in Tucson can be found on the NFCA tournament central page. This includes a complete list of participating teams and a full schedule as well as ticketing and area information.

INSIDE SCOOPThere are now more ways than ever to follow the Tritons. You've always
got UCSDtritons.com at your fingertips, but our social media scene
continues to grow. Get instant updates on Twitter and
like us on Facebook. For a more visual approach, watch our YouTube
channel. Follow the Tritons all year long on social media! Also, get the
inside track on all things UCSD softball by following head coach Patti Gerckens on Twitter (@PGerckensUCSDsb)

SCOUTING AUGUSTANA
The Vikings open their season at the Leadoff Classic, first playing Southeastern before they meet the Tritons that afternoon. Augustana is coming off a 53-12 (.815) record in 2012. The squad played seven games in the NCAA Division II Championship Tournament, dropping a 5-4 season ending loss to Valdosta State. That was Augustana's first NCAA Championship appearance since 1998. Despite losing five graduating seniors, the Vikings were picked as the No. 8 team in the NFCA preseason poll released this January.

SCOUTING SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE
Southeastern currently holds an 8-3 overall record after participating in the St. Mary's Tournament and hosting the Southeastern Invite. The Savage Storm most recently swept a pair of games with the University of Central Missouri. Southeastern is coming off a 40-16-5 overall record in 2012 as they return nine players.

SCOUTING CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
UCO currently holds a 3-1 record after posting a pair of wins over Eastern New Mexico and a split with Abilene Christian at the Whitten Inn Classic. Central Oklahoma received a No. 16 ranking in the NFCA preseason poll released in January. The Broncos are coming off a 46-9 record this past season. UCO's season came to an end after dropping a pair of games to UCSD at the NCAA Championships. The Tritons took game one, 4-3, before returning and defeating the Broncos, 2-0, in the second game.

SCOUTING MINNESOTA STATE-MANKATO
The Mavericks open 2013 at the Leadoff Classic, beginning play against UCO. MSUM finished 2012 with a 49-10 (.831) record, making it out of the NSIC tournament to regional play, where it went 2-2. The Mavericks return the majority of their roster, graduating four seniors in 2012.

GEAR HEREUC San Diego Athletics is excited to announce the launch of
UCSDTritonsGear.com, which provides a web-based, on-demand option for
UCSD athletic apparel and merchandise. Fans have access to over 600
products, including special event and championship gear.